Tag: gun control
Activists gather in Annapolis as hearings begin on gun control
“If this (gun control) does get passed, it’s going to be struck down and all they’re going to do is cost the Maryland taxpayer tons of money defending it in court. Don’t pass this unconstitutional law,” said Paul Brockman, a self-employed contractor from Hanover, Maryland, and spokesperson for The Patriot Picket, an Annapolis Second Amendment activist group. “These are the most lawful, law-abiding people out here, and they want to take away our ability to carry a gun to defend ourselves.”
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State Roundup: Moore names six to cabinet posts; former U.S. attorney appointed special counsel in Biden classified documents investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice has tapped Robert Hur, the former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland, to lead an investigation into President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents. The appointment came after Biden disclosed more classified documents had been located in his garage.
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Van Hollen: Background checks bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate
Democrats have a 51-50 majority in the Senate due to Vice President Kamala Harris who is able to cast a vote in the event of a tie. But it generally takes 60 votes to begin debate on most as issues-the magic number needed to break a legislative filibuster.
Read MoreState Roundup, January 31, 2020
State lawmakers override vetoes including ‘ban the box,’ Dream Act expansion; the end is near in the 7th District Democratic primary race; debate continues on gun control measure; Delaney drops out of presidential race; bill to allow armed Baltimore County school police officers; General Assembly vacancies filled; Baltimore Clean Air act delayed; grants could help Frederick renters; UMMS trying to recover Healthy Holly money; 12th early voting site for Montgomery; Carroll poll workers want security; editorial on judicial elections; Brown wants border wall security questions answered; assault law proposed for strangulation; cannabis oversight and rights; young Sierra club leader picked
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Gun-control activists urge passage of background-checks bill
Danielle Veith, a volunteer with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, pushed back against opponents’ claims that the legislation would restrict the activities of responsible gun owners. “Extremists arguing against this common-sense legislation would like us to believe that private gun sales are always between responsible gun owners and a neighbor or a friend they know well. If that were true, we wouldn’t be here asking legislators to close this dangerous loophole,” she said.”
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Widow of Capital Gazette editor gives emotional testimony on gun-safety bill
“Maryland may have some of the strongest gun laws in the country but it’s not enough,” said Andrea Chamblee, a volunteer with the Maryland chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America whose husband. John McNamara, was killed in the June 2018 shooting along with four other Gazette employees. “There are significant loopholes that endanger our families, including the loopholes corrected by this bill.”
Read MoreHunters protest new gun control measures
Deer season may be over in Maryland, but lobbying season is well underway in Annapolis. Hunters and gun enthusiasts have held signs this week around the State House, protesting two bills that were debated in the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee Friday.
Read MoreSun readers call new gun control law ‘unconstitutional’ Really? Hardly
An overwhelming majority of people responding to a Baltimore Sun poll this week — a whopping 94% — called “Maryland’s ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines” “unconstitutional.” What’s more, 18,109 people responded to the “poll” published Tuesday, meaning about 17,000 responders objected to the new ban. This was not a real public opinion survey seeking a random sample of the population that would show what a representative group of Maryland citizens think of the new law. It was one of those pop quizzes made possible by the wonderfully interactive nature of the Internet.
Read MoreMental health advocates outraged by lack of state funding for psychiatric care, cuts in governor’s budget
Despite general agreement on the need for more mental health services to prevent gun violence, providers argue that the state’s psychiatric services are woefully underfunded and that the General Assembly has done little to address this problem. They were particularly shocked that the governor revoked $7.2 million of funding for mental health in his supplemental budget this week.
Read MoreDecision about petition drive on gun control up in the air
Following the controversial passage of the Firearms Safety Act of 2013, many Marylanders in opposition to the law may be wondering: what next?
Republican delegates have not yet come together with a unified response. However, rumors of a referendum petition are moving fast.
Read MoreGun control debate shows divide between two cultures
The debate and vote on a sweeping new gun control measure that establishes a stringent licensing regime for handguns reflected a sharp split between two different cultures in Maryland. One shuns guns as instruments of violence and the other embraces them as essential to freedom and safety.
Read MorePoll: Slight majority still supports death penalty; overwhelming support for gun control measures
A new Goucher College poll finds a slight majority of Marylanders (51%) oppose ending executions — even though many overestimate how often it is used and a majority says it does not deter murder and would prefer life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. An overwhelming majority of Marylanders — more than four out of five — support the major provisions of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s gun control proposal, despite the fierce opposition of a gun-owning minority that has flooded Annapolis hearing rooms.
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